Millionaire's lunch gift ends in cash row

New York: A stunt by a Chinese tycoon to provide free lunch to 300 homeless people in one of New York's finest restaurants degenerated into a shambles as word spread that the participants would not be receiving an expected cash handout.

The first simmerings of discontent emerged in Central Park's Loeb Boathouse – backdrop for films such as When Harry Met Sally and television shows including Sex and the City –as sesame-encrusted tuna appetisers were being served.

By the time the main course of rump steak was on the tables, the mood had turned thoroughly sour, as news that there was to be no cash giveaway passed around the room.

Dessert is served at the lunch sponsored by Chinese tycoon Chen Guangbiao. Photo: Reuters

By the time bow-tied waiters cleared away the berries and creme fraiche, there was a near-mutiny, and burly private security men were forced to prevent some angry diners from storming the podium.

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Chen Guangbiao, who made his fortune in the recycling business, had taken out newspaper advertisements last week inviting 1000 "poor and destitute Americans" to lunch in the park.

Several hundred people showed up for the lunch and Mr Chen entertained them by singing We Are the World, the 1985 hit song to fund African famine relief, and a ceremony in which Mr Chen was presented with a certificate declaring him "the world's greatest philanthropist".

Chen Guangbiao speaks about his philanthropy during the lunch. Photo: Reuters

He announced to applause and cheers that he would hand out $US300 ($A320) to each of the guests and also introduced a self-immolation survivor whose medical bills he paid.

"If you have a river [of wealth] you better know how to share it with other people," Mr Chen said. "We are one big happy family in the world."

But the mood of goodwill and gratitude quickly dissipated as diners learnt that they would not be receiving the handout.

Shatima Davis enjoys an appetiser at The Loeb Boathouse in New York. Photo: AP

Officials at the New York City Rescue Mission, which Mr Chen had approached to help organise the event, told him they would participate only if the money was donated to their organisation to provide meals for the homeless.

"We work with the homeless every day. Many of them unfortunately have drink and drugs problems, and it just isn't a good idea to give that sort of cash out to people," said Michelle Tolson, the mission's spokeswoman. "Mr Chen agreed that he would donate the $US90,000 to the mission and that is the basis on which we are here today."

However, that message had not reached many of the recipients of the free meal who were taken by bus to Central Park from a downtown shelter.

Chen Guangbiao with men to whom he gave $US300. Photo: Reuters

"We have been duped to come along here under false pretences and now we are just part of a propaganda trick for the rich," said Harry Brooks, a Vietnam War veteran who tried to reach the stage to voice his complaints. "We don't need their steak, we need the money so that we can pay for food and clear debts. Now we're never going to see it. This is a disgrace."

However some guests posed for photos with cash given to them by Mr Chen anyway, NBC news reported.

Adding to the surreality of the spectacle, Mr Chen had issued Red Army-style uniforms to hundreds of locally recruited volunteers from the Chinese community.